After nearly 55 years of service, the Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan (USCP) has permanently ceased all operations across the country.
Established in 1971, Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan (USCP) operated a chain of stores across the country, offering essential commodities to the public at subsidized rates, lower than the open market.
The Board of Directors of the Utility Stores Corporation has formally endorsed the shutdown orders, leading to a complete suspension of all operations.
Sales and purchase activities at utility stores across the country have ceased as of today. All food and non-food items have been transferred from retail outlets to central warehouses.
Moreover, the corporation’s ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system has also been fully deactivated starting today.
Meanwhile, the issue of the Utility Stores shutdown and the ongoing employee protests was raised during a session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Industries and Production, where members expressed serious concern over the closure.
MNA Ejaz Jakhrani brought the matter before the committee, noting that the decision to shut down the Utility Stores was taken despite the committee’s prior directives. Members further pointed out that the Federal Minister had announced in the National Assembly that the Utility Stores would not be closed.
Jakhrani said that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto had also expressed concern over the shutdown and had instructed party members to meet with Utility Stores employees. In response, several members visited the employees at their protest sit-in.
He added that despite repeated assurances from the government, the Utility Stores have now been shut down.
